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A UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville triggered a massive explosion Tuesday evening, killing at least three people and injuring 11 others. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that both numbers could rise as emergency crews continue to assess the wreckage.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jet crashed around 5:15 p.m. while departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Beshear said, “Anybody who has seen the video knows how violent this crash is.” He added that investigators were still confirming the condition of the three crew members onboard.
Flames, explosions, and widespread destruction
Eyewitness videos showed the jet’s left wing engulfed in flames before it lifted briefly and exploded in a massive fireball. Parts of a nearby building’s roof were torn apart, scattering debris across the tarmac. Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the scene remained dangerous late into the night. “We don’t know how long it will take to make the area safe,” he said.
The UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville also damaged nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and an auto parts facility.
Community in shock and mourning
Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said the city is devastated. “We all know someone who works at UPS,” she said. “Sadly, some of those messages tonight will go unanswered.” The airport suspended all operations and is not expected to reopen until Wednesday morning.
Residents north of the airport were ordered to shelter in place due to thick, black smoke drifting toward the Ohio River. The area includes residential neighborhoods, museums, and a water park.
Witnesses describe chaos and fear
Local resident Tom Brooks Jr. said the explosion “rocked the whole place” and looked “like a war zone.” Another witness, Destyn Mitchell, heard a “very loud boom” while working at a nearby restaurant. “Everyone was shaken. Many people left their meals and rushed home,” she said.
Governor Beshear promised full state support for rescue and recovery efforts, calling the tragedy “one of Kentucky’s darkest evenings.”
For ongoing updates on this developing story, visit PhoenixQ accident News.
